Burma forum

Travelling to Burma

Enrico_Gatti

backpacker
Posts: 17

I'm doing a 7 week tour of indo-china with a friend in September, we are very keen to visit Burma. I know the risks and ethics issues with doing so but am still keen to visit whilst following guidelines such as trying only to buy from non-government shops etc.

Does anyone have any experience of Burma?
Are there any places that cannot be missed etc?
What should we be most cautious about?

#1 Posted: 26/7/2006 - 21:44
Tilapia

under-employed
Posts: 1204
Located in:

Private message

Go! You'll love it there!!! Excellent accomodations (you won't even have to buy your own toilet paper or provide your own towels). Easy (though slow and sometimes uncomfortable) transport. Outstanding people!!! Temples galore! The place will blow you away. Stay for as long as you can. You won't regret it. Also, take more U$ cash than you think you'll need.

Must see places? This is a very subjective question. Mine are Kyiatiyo (The Golden Rock), the town and monasteries of Mawlamyaing (the train trip from Yangon to Moktama and the ferry trip from Mawlamyaing to Hpa-an), Bagan, Mahamundi (in Mandalay), Indein (at Inle Lake) and, of course, the Schwedagon Pagoda. WOW! Every single day there was something amazing. My favourite area was in and around Mawlamyaing. It reminded me a lot of Luang Prabang.

I'd be cautious about taking photos of the good folks there, promising to send copies of those photos, and then not doing so.

The ethical issues are very well-known and many think that going there only supports or gives a green light to how and what the junta is doing. You'll see when you are there that the majority of money coming into the country is not from tourism, though, but from Chinese investment. They're having a hey day in that country, building bridges, seaports, roads ... and they all lead back to China.

#2 Posted: 18/8/2006 - 21:17
DakLak

tourist
Posts: 57

Carrying a hand / cell phone?

Deep six it (stick it in your sock) as sometimes the border guys take them away and you will NOT get service there as only the dictators and their friends get to have service.

Anyone with a working cell can be cops or just connected.

Take correct USD with you as entry fees paid in Baht are extortionate.

And if you are greeted by friendly little dogs - they are checking for you-know-what contraband.

#3 Posted: 28/8/2006 - 08:10
heart08

newbie
Posts: 3

Never been to Burma but its on my plans so im going to visit this thread when you got there

#4 Posted: 30/7/2009 - 13:51
Jennifer70

newbie
Posts: 3

Ciao Enrico, to have an idea of 'what' and 'where' I was inspired by "Ko` Travelling in Myanmar" a book I've found at www.amazon.co.uk
I had no idea so I simply did the same journey that is described in that book (Yangon, Sagaing, Amarapura, Mingun, Mandalay, Bagan, Salay, Kalaw and Inle and Yangon) and it worked for me!
Have a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YhAtQADM04
Take care, Jennifer

#5 Posted: 26/8/2009 - 14:32